Anyone go in August?

[jbwolffiv]

I was just wondering, my DW and I almost always go in August, usually the second full week. Do many DVC'rs go at this time? I know it is hot, but we don't mind the heat. Just wondering.

 

[KelNottAt]

I'd be interested in knowing, too. Also, what are the crowds like?

Kelley

 

[MiaSRN62]

We've gone during August several times. The beginning of August is def more crowded than the end. We had long lines and closed Fast Pass booths during the first week of August last year. One day we were at BB around 10:30 am and it was closed due to occupancy. TL had a line so long going into the entrance that we opted to hang by the pool for the day.

 

[kramer_clan]

We have found that after the first week in August it is not as crowded. A lot of school districts around the country go back to school the second week of August. Our kids go back the week before labor day.

Florida schools are usually back in school by mid August, so that lessens the crowds tremendously.

We have done August twice now and would not hesitate to go back during that time.

Vicki

 

[DownNeckBoy]

We've gone at the end of August, going into the Labor Day weekend before. We will be doing the same thing this year. The crowds are lower due to schools in the South starting school the third week of August. Of course, it's still very hot, but it seems to be less of an issue without the huge throngs of the eariler summer.

Good luck with your planning!

 

[Certifiable WDW Nut]

This is the first year we are going in August for a week. Other times it has just been for long weekends. We will be there from the 20th - 27th. The heat doesn't bother us too much and because it is likely to be less crowded, we are not doing any planning. Just going where we want to go and eating what we want to, etc. To me, that is the most exciting part of this trip. I love to plan, but I want to try it the other way for a change.

 

[goofy4tink]

We're going again for the third week in August. The crowds were a little heavier last year due to the FTP being so popular. But, it wasn't as bad as it could have been.

 

[Ksp]

We like to go in August, too. I think we've tried every week, over the years. This year we'll be there 8/15 till 8/20. Last year (during 2nd week of August) the crowds were up due to Disney's vacation special...since I haven't seen one posted yet, I'm hoping that they don't run their offer again.
Pools are great this time of year and we love all the water rides, too!!

 

[goofy4tink]

Originally posted by Ksp
We like to go in August, too. I think we've tried every week, over the years. This year we'll be there 8/15 till 8/20. Last year (during 2nd week of August) the crowds were up due to Disney's vacation special...since I haven't seen one posted yet, I'm hoping that they don't run their offer again.
Pools are great this time of year and we love all the water rides, too!!

Wouldn't you be going in the third week? That's my time frame too and I look at it as the third week. Did last year too. Also hoping for no terrific pay for 4, get 7 deals this year. Yes, I did use it last year, but now I want the parks to be less crowded. I'm a very bad person, I know.

 

[Ksp]

Wouldn't you be going in the third week?

goofy4tink,
Yes, this year we're going in the 3rd week. Last year -2003- we were there during the 2nd week and boy, it was crowded due to Disney's special deal...pay 4/get 7....what was it called???
Maybe we'll see you there....we'll be at SSR for the week.

 

[rsschneck]

We are trying Last week of August this year. August 28th through September 4th. We are going with my sister's family and that seemed to be the only time ALL the kids were out of school. We are planning on trying one or two water parks and probably Disney Quest. We are hoping for less crowds! I guess we will see

 

[carone0318]

How are the crowds over Labor Day Weekend? I am assuming from your post above that you have been there through the Labor Day weekend. We are arriving at BWV on 8/31 and will be there over the weekend and come home on 9/8, the day before school starts for dd.

I am planning on going to Epcot on Labor Day, just to be safe! Looking at the historical park hours over the holiday weekend, I am assuming that MK will be open late on Sat & Sun. I know it will be a while before they post the official hours, but at MK I am thinking that it might be open later than last year's 7pm because of Wishes. If they plan to run it everyday, at 7pm it won't be dark enough - hopeful thinking on my part.

 

[gopherit]

We've done various times of the year, and August somehow "works" for us. For starters, baseball season (regular and all-stars) consumes our summer -- August is about the only month open! With two boys in baseball and one dad as asst. coach on both teams, we are a wee bit tied up in the summer time! We will be at BCV on the 7th, then BWV from 8th-16th, then SSR through the 19th this year.

I agree about the school calendars -- most of your southern schools do start in early August. So if you want to avoid that crowd, look at mid to later August.

If you like water parks / pools, you're fairly well assured of enjoying them in August. About the only thing that would stop you would be monsoon-thunderstormy weather. It does happen, but we always try to make our trips long enough so that SURELY there will be some sunny days packed in there somewhere! (And a lot of hopin' and wishin' doesn't hurt either, I guess!) At least with August we know it will be WARM! We have had great Dec-Jan trips but also some REALLY cold ones -- way too cold for a swim. And we had a totally rainy Oct trip once -- so it just goes to show weather can be a factor WHENEVER you go.

I too am being a naughty little DVC person <a href='http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb008' target='_blank'><img src='http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/347.gif' alt='Devil' border=0></a> hoping there are NO big WDW promos this summer. Word is, however, that there will be -- I guess one of the other threads was mentioning that Disney resrvation folks had been told to expect a fair amount of mandatory overtime during the first part of May... sounds like they expect their lines to be jammed with callers. The last summer package only extended to the July 4th week -- it certainly sounds plausible that Disney and/or DIsney Visa would make an offer for the second half of the summer too. And they are HEAVILY advertising all the theme parks on Disney Channels lately -- anyone else noticed that? Showcasing all the newest rides, etc. I've got visions of long lines already -- UGH.

Maybe I should sign in under an alias and post all sorts of messages on DIS and other boards about how AWFUL August is, how hot, crowded, miserable it is, and no amount of discount should EVER persuade you to go at that time!! And you fellow August travelers can post how much you AGREE! Just one hint -- get an alias or take your counter off before you respond or you'll blow our cover!! <a href='http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb008' target='_blank'><img src='http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/15_1_63.gif' alt='Peeking Over Fence' border=0></a>

 

[bus driver lady]

Hi! We'll be making our first DVC trip Aug. 22-28th...can't wait! Not too worried about the weather as this is the only timeframe we can make it this year - we'll make the most of it. Bringing mom and dad along to celebrate their 45th in a OKW 2BR.

Gopherit, we also are a "baseball" family. DS (15) has been involved in all-stars, school teams, and travel baseball since age 8. To date we've played several tournaments in NJ, along with trips to Cooperstown, NY (first team from NJ to make it to the Championship Game from a pool of 48 teams from all over the country). Several other trips to PA, MD, NY playing teams from VA, WV up to CT. Team qualified for AAU Nationals last summer in Sarasota, FL (3rd place in NJ) but couldn't make that trip due to prescheduled conflicts with some of the team members (talk about disappointing). And DS made the high school team this spring, also. Of course, DH (stats, practice, water cooler) and I (team mother, taxi) help with the travel team where we can and wouldn't miss it. Lots of fun memories with team families over the years.

So our DVC options right now are either the last two weeks in August or Nov.-Dec. With son now in h.s. we won't be making any "family" trips in the fall, but perhaps DH and I will sneek away occasionally then. Unless, of course, DS's team someday plays at the WDW Wide World of Sports tournament...now that sounds like a trip!

Suzy:

 

[AnnaS]

If we are doing just WDW (no Magic), we go the last two weeks of August - definitely back before Labor Day. We will be in WDW (OKW) on 8/20-9/1. Hot and humid, less crowded. We plan accordingly. We have a very limited vacation schedule so we make the best of it.

 

[DVC-Don]

We have been going to WDW the last full week of August for a couple of years now. Low crowds.

 

[MiaSRN62]

Maybe I should sign in under an alias and post all sorts of messages on DIS and other boards about how AWFUL August is, how hot, crowded, miserable it is, and no amount of discount should EVER persuade you to go at that time!!

lol.....hmmm, this might just work.
Actually, we've gone during summer months and off-season and we find off-season wins hand's down. It's not even so much the heat (though when we take my mil she cannot tolerate the heat at all & fades fast), but the crowds. I have kids 11, 13 & 17 and they much prefer off-season as well---gives us an opportunity to steal away from the cold of the northeast and not feel like packed sardines in the parks ! As far as missing school.....we're very fortunate that our school district allows 5 family "excused" vacation days and we try and schedule our stay during a week that has an inservice day or similar. Works well for us.

So as far as our family goes---no competition from us for the month of August. Now maybe I shouldn't be singing the praises off-season like this